18.6.12

Technology and innovation strategy expert Ayesha Khanna will be
addressing the topic of "Hybrid Reality", as covered in her June 2012
book of the same name.

Here's how the book is described:What human civilization needs more than anything is not greater IQ or EQ, but TQ: technology quotient.

In their manifesto Hybrid Reality, husband-and-wife team Ayesha &
Parag Khanna explore the frontier of the information revolution: The
Hybrid Age.

In this era of disruptive technologies,
accelerating change, and deep anxiety about the future, the Khannas
explain how the “balance of innovation” has superseded the military
“balance of power” as a measure of national potential, and provide a
global tour of how the smartest countries, cities, and companies are
harnessing new technologies to gain an edge. Each of us also needs
better TQ to adapt to a future in which robots are normal social actors
in our lives, healthcare becomes a vehicle for physical enhancement,
academic pedigree dissolves in a global skills market, and virtual
currencies enable tax-free transactions.

Whether the future is a
dystopian global class struggle over technology or a Pax Technologica
of transparency, access and equity will depend on spreading TQ above all
else.

Room G16 is on the ground floor in the main Birkbeck College building,
in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington
Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge St
tube stations.

As desired, coffee and other light refreshments
can be purchased from the Costa Coffee shop in the reception area of the
building, either ahead of or after the meeting.

The event will
be followed by a chance to continue the discussion in a nearby pub -
The Marlborough Arms, 36 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ

Ayesha Khanna is Founder and Director of the Hybrid Reality Institute, a
research and advisory group focused on human-technology co-evolution,
geotechnology and innovation. She is a Partner at K2S Advisors which
provides strategic and financial advisory services in smart and
sustainable cities, technology and infrastructure. She is also a Faculty
Advisor at Singularity University and directs the Future Cities group
at the London School of Economics.

A technology and innovation
strategy expert, Ayesha has over ten years of experience advising
clients and cities on scenario analysis, product development, digital
branding and customer experience. Her clients have included Bank of
America, JP Morgan Chase, UBS, American International Group, and
Deutsche Bank. Ayesha is frequently interviewed in the media and was
featured by the New York Times. She is a regular speaker at industry,
marketing, and academic conferences related to emerging technology
trends and intelligent cities.

Welcome to ExtroBritannia

Humanity+ UK 2010Conway Hall, London, UK 24th April 2010We’re pleased to announce the first in what we intend to be a series of one-day conferences highlighting the fascinating possibilties (and potential pitfalls) of accelerating technological change. Click here for the conference's website.